List Of National Football League Annual Receiving Touchdowns Leaders
In American football, passing, along with running (also referred to as rushing), is one of the two main methods of advancing the ball down the field. Passes are typically attempted by the quarterback, but any offensive player can attempt a pass provided they are behind the line of scrimmage. To qualify as a passing play, the ball must have initially moved forward after leaving the hands of the passer; if the ball initially moved laterally or backwards, the play would instead be considered a running play. A receiving touchdown is scored when a player catches the ball in the field of play and advances it into the end zone, or catches it while already being within the boundaries of the end zone.
Don Hutson led the NFL in touchdown receptions nine times, the most of any player. 
Mark Clayton's 18 touchdown receptions in 1984 broke Don Hutson's 42-year-old record. 
Jerry Rice led the NFL in receiving touchdowns six times. 
Cris Carter and Minnesota Vikings teammate Randy Moss alternated in winning the title from 1997 to 2000. 
Rob Gronkowski's 17 touchdown receptions in 2011 is the highest single-season total among tight ends. 
Davante Adams led the NFL in receiving touchdowns in 2020 and in 2022.
The National Football League (NFL) did not begin keeping official records until the 1932 season. Since the adoption of the 14-game season in 1961, only one season (the strike-shortened 1982 season) has had a receiving touchdowns league leader record fewer than 10 touchdown catches. The record for receiving touchdowns in a season is 23, set by Randy Moss during the 2007 season; only one other player (Jerry Rice) has recorded 20 or more receiving touchdowns in a season. In addition to the overall NFL receiving touchdown leaders, league record books recognize the receiving touchdown leaders of the American Football League (AFL), which operated from 1960 to 1969 before being absorbed into the National Football League in 1970.
Don Hutson led the league in receiving touchdowns nine times, the most of any player in league history; Rice ranks second with six league-leading seasons. Hutson also holds the record for the two longest streaks leading the league in receiving touchdowns, doing so for four consecutive seasons (1935 to 1938) and then doing it for five consecutive years from 1940 to 1944.
NFL annual receiving touchdowns leaders
.jpg)
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Leader | The player who recorded the most receiving touchdowns in the NFL |
| TDs | The total number of receiving touchdowns the player had |
| GP | The number of games played by a player during the season |
| † | Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame |
| ^ | Active player |
| * | Set the single-season receiving touchdowns record |
| (#) | Denotes the number of times a player appears in this list |
AFL annual receiving touchdowns leaders
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Leader | The player who recorded the most receiving touchdowns in the AFL |
| TDs | The total number of receiving touchdowns the player had |
| GP | The number of games played by a player during the season |
| † | Pro Football Hall of Fame member |
| * | Player set the single-season receiving touchdowns record |
| (#) | Denotes the number of times a player appears in this list |
| Season | Leader | TDs | GP | Team | Refs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | Art Powell | 14* | 14 | New York Titans | |
| 1961 | Bill Groman | 17* | 14 | Houston Oilers | |
| 1962 | Chris Burford | 12 | 14 | Dallas Texans | |
| 1963 | Art Powell (2) | 16 | 14 | Oakland Raiders | |
| 1964 | Lance Alworth† | 13 | 14 | San Diego Chargers | |
| 1965 | Lance Alworth† (2) | 14 | 14 | San Diego Chargers | |
| Don Maynard† | 14 | New York Jets | |||
| 1966 | Lance Alworth† (3) | 13 | 14 | San Diego Chargers | |
| 1967 | Al Denson | 11 | 14 | Denver Broncos | |
| Otis Taylor | 14 | Kansas City Chiefs | |||
| 1968 | Karl Noonan | 11 | 14 | Miami Dolphins | |
| Warren Wells | 14 | Oakland Raiders | |||
| 1969 | Warren Wells (2) | 14 | 14 | Oakland Raiders |
Most seasons leading the league
| Count | Player | Seasons | Team(s) | Refs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Don Hutson | 1935–1938, 1940–1944 | Green Bay Packers | |
| 6 | Jerry Rice | 1986, 1987, 1989–1991, 1993 | San Francisco 49ers | |
| 5 | Randy Moss | 1998, 2000, 2003, 2007, 2009 | Minnesota Vikings (3) / New England Patriots (2) | |
| 3 | Lance Alworth | 1964–1966 | San Diego Chargers | |
| Cris Carter | 1995, 1997, 1999 | Minnesota Vikings | ||
| Terrell Owens | 2001, 2002, 2006 | San Francisco 49ers (2) / Dallas Cowboys (1) |
See also
- List of NFL career receiving touchdowns leaders
- List of NFL annual receiving yards leaders
- List of NFL annual receptions leaders
- List of NFL annual rushing touchdowns leaders
- List of NFL annual passing touchdowns leaders
- List of NFL annual scoring leaders
Notes
- ^ The NFL did not have a set number of games for teams to play until the 1935 season, instead setting a minimum.
- ^ The 1982 season was reduced from 16 to 9 games due to a 57-day players' strike.
References
- ^ "NFL Single-Season Receiving Touchdowns Leaders". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on April 11, 2024. Retrieved January 14, 2014.
- ^ "Beginner's Guide to Football". National Football League. Archived from the original on May 26, 2015. Retrieved September 30, 2012.
- ^ Brinson, Will (December 31, 2013). "NFL, Elias reviewing Daniel Clark passing record: lateral or pass?". CBS Sports. Archived from the original on January 2, 2014. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
- ^ "2022 NFL Rulebook". National Football League. Archived from the original on April 23, 2023. Retrieved January 16, 2023.
- ^ "NFL's Passer Rating". Pro Football Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on October 3, 2015. Retrieved June 19, 2013.
- ^ "NFL Year-by-Year Receiving Touchdowns Leaders". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 16, 2024. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
- ^ "2022 NFL Rulebook". National Football League. Rule 11 Section 2 & Rule 3 Section 39. Archived from the original on April 23, 2023. Retrieved January 16, 2023.
- ^ Huber, Bill (June 26, 2022). "Remembering the Unparalleled Dominance of Don Hutson". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on August 16, 2022. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
- ^ Kacsmar, Scott (June 12, 2022). "The 10 Most Unbreakable Records in NFL History". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on July 25, 2022. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
- ^ Oates, Bob (April 30, 1989). "Don Hutson: After Helping Invent the Forward Pass, the Former Packer Star Grabbed the Brass Ring of Life as Well". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on March 23, 2023. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
- ^ Whitley, David. "Hutson was first modern receiver". ESPN. Archived from the original on May 19, 2023. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
- ^ Sarney, Jason (April 18, 2023). "A call to the Hall is necessary for former Dolphins WR Mark Clayton". USA Today. Archived from the original on May 21, 2023. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
- ^ Leger, Justin (June 21, 2022). "Every record Rob Gronkowski set during legendary NFL career". NBC Sports. Archived from the original on January 21, 2023. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
- ^ "Davante Adams Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "NFL Regular Season Games Played per Season". Pro Football Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on May 29, 2023. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
- ^ "Ray Flaherty Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on October 30, 2023. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
- ^ "Dale Burnett Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 14, 2024. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
- ^ "Ernie Caddel Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 17, 2023. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
- ^ "Luke Johnsos Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 14, 2024. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
- ^ "Bill Karr Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 26, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Shipwreck Kelly Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
- ^ "Johnny Blood Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on October 30, 2023. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
- ^ "Kink Richards Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 14, 2024. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
- ^ "Bill Hewitt Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 14, 2024. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
- ^ "Don Hutson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 27, 2024. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Jim Benton Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 14, 2024. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Frank Liebel Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 26, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Billy Dewell Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 26, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Ken Kavanaugh Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 26, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Mal Kutner Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on December 2, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Tom Fears Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 14, 2024. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Hugh Taylor Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on April 15, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Bob Shaw Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 26, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Elroy Hirsch Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 7, 2024. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Cloyce Box Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 26, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Pete Pihos Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 14, 2024. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Billy Wilson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 26, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Harlon Hill Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 26, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Billy Howton Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on November 24, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Jim Mutscheller Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 26, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Raymond Berry Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 16, 2024. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Tommy McDonald Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 16, 2024. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Sonny Randle Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 10, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Frank Clarke Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 26, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Terry Barr Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 14, 2024. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Gary Collins Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on November 25, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Bobby Mitchell Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 16, 2024. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Johnny Morris Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 22, 2024. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Bucky Pope Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 26, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Bob Hayes Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 26, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Dave Parks Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 27, 2024. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Homer Jones Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 26, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Paul Warfield Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on October 30, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Lance Rentzel Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 26, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Dick Gordon Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 26, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Gene Washington Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on April 17, 2024. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Harold Jackson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 21, 2024. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Cliff Branch Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on December 9, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Mel Gray Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 26, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Lynn Swann Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on April 6, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Nat Moore Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 26, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "John Jefferson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on April 9, 2024. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Stanley Morgan Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 26, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Alfred Jenkins Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on December 1, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Steve Watson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 21, 2024. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "NFL History by Decade: 1981–1990". National Football League. Archived from the original on October 6, 2008. Retrieved February 27, 2013.
- ^ "Wes Chandler Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 15, 2024. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Roy Green Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 16, 2024. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Mark Clayton Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 26, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Daryl Turner Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 26, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Jerry Rice Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 30, 2024. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Sterling Sharpe Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on April 17, 2024. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Andre Rison Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 9, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Chris Carter Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 26, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Carl Pickens Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 26, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Michael Jackson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 26, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Tony Martin Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 26, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Randy Moss Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on June 18, 2024. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Terrell Owens Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 22, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Muhsin Muhammad Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 16, 2024. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Marvin Harrison Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on April 10, 2024. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Steve Smith Sr. Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 10, 2024. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Larry Fitzgerald Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 26, 2024. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Calvin Johnson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on April 27, 2024. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Vernon Davis Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 16, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Dwayne Bowe Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 14, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Rob Gronkowski Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on June 6, 2024. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "James Jones Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 26, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Jimmy Graham Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on June 12, 2024. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Dez Bryant Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on April 17, 2024. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Doug Baldwin Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 22, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Brandon Marshall Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on June 5, 2024. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Allen Robinson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 16, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Jordy Nelson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on April 9, 2024. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "DeAndre Hopkins Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 26, 2024. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Antonio Brown Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on June 6, 2024. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Kenny Golladay Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on April 4, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Cooper Kupp Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on June 5, 2024. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Mike Evans Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on June 6, 2024. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
- ^ "Tyreek Hill Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on June 18, 2024. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
- ^ "Art Powell Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 16, 2024. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Bill Groman Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 27, 2024. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Chris Burford Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 26, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Lance Alworth Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 16, 2024. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Don Maynard Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 16, 2024. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Al Denson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 4, 2024. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Otis Taylor Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on June 5, 2024. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Karl Noonan Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 26, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Warren Wells Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on November 27, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2023.